FAQS
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD HAS A SPEECH OR LANGUAGE DISORDER?
A speech-language pathologist can provide a consultation, which includes discussing your concerns, as well as conducting a brief screening with the child. She will let you know if a full diagnostic is warranted. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association provides developmental milestone information.
Birth-5 years: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/chart/
K-5th Grade: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/
DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?
Currently, we accept private pay. Please call 407-454-2087 or email info@SpeechAndLanguageEssentials.com for rates.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCREENING AND EVALUATION?
A screening is a brief measure of a child’s communication skills to determine if a full evaluation is warranted. Communication skills are evaluated informally through conversation and play-based activities. Screenings usually take less than 30 minutes does not include formal testing.
An evaluation is a complete diagnostic assessment used to diagnose a speech or language disorder. Parents complete an intake packet prior to evaluation. Evaluation typically includes formal testing that results in standardized scores in order to compare results with same-age peers. A report is written after testing that includes: medical history, results of testing, recommendations and therapy goals.
HOW OFTEN WILL MY CHILD ATTEND SPEECH THERAPY?
Each child’s needs are unique, but most clients are seen twice weekly for 30-45 minute sessions. More involved cases, such as those with Autism or Down Syndrome, may be seen for 60 minute sessions, or 3+ times per week.
HOW LONG SHOULD THERAPY LAST?
Therapy duration is individual for each client. It depends on many factors, such as the severity of the disorder (more severe disorders take longer to treat, while more mild disorders take a shorter time), how many goals they are working toward (if the child is only working on 1 speech sound, therapy will likely be shorter than if there are many sound errors that need to be addressed), if the child is practicing at home (parents following through with home activities provided by SLP*), age, attention span, and cooperation/behavior during sessions.
*Reference: http://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-03242011-182229/unrestricted/MeganYRobertsDissertation.pdf
WHAT IS “NATURAL ENVIRONMENT” THERAPY?
Natural Environment Therapy refers to therapy taking place in the child’s natural communication environment—the place where he or she would typically communicate, such as the child’s home, daycare/preschool, or school.
No Surprises Act & Good Faith Estimates
Beginning January 1, 2022, health care providers must provide you with an estimate of expected charges before receiving speech services; this is called a Good Faith Estimate (GFE).
Providers must provide you with a GFE if you request one, or after you’ve scheduled a service. It should include the expected charges for all services that will be provided. The provider must provide a list of all items and services associated with your care. These estimates are located on the paperwork that will be emailed to you after initial parent consultation.
For more information, please visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website at www.cms.gov/nosurprises.